Toledo (CA 133) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 44 text:

Around the bend, Magna Point Beach. A The ship's picnic on Grande lsland, Subic Bay. The Little Boys defeated the Fat Boys. as condition III., dawn and dusk 2110118 and other sundry air attacks would permit. The big difficulty from then on was trying to un- garble the British accents on the voice radio circuits which at times was a real problem. That weekend all ships streamed into Subic Bay for liberty and recreation. From all of these, boats plied the waters to the beach, crowding the small base with liberty- hungry sailors. The facilities of Subic Bay were expanded in every way possible, but the doors of the three clubs bulged wide as the crowds kept coming. Good fellowship was the keynote, and spirits rose as the spirits went down the hatch. Here we ac- quired an even deeper regard for the British for many a painful ordeal-the day after. A full athletic program was carried out with bowling, swimming, basketball, tennis and softball on the card. Several of our di- visions played softball with the willing but inexperienced Britishers, and from these games deci'ded British cricket must be very different from American baseball. The guests reciprocated by inviting some of our ships' officers aboard their ships for cocktail hour. The merits of the British sys- tem of having liquor aboard ship were Well absorbed. Monday the ships sortied for another two days of operating, at the end of which time the gray-green ships headed back for Hong Kong and Singapore and ours for Sangley Point. Old Spanish guns on Grande lsland. Q V ln spite of the iellyfish, swimming was good.

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Xhout a month after arrival in Sanglcy rumors started to circulate amid thc general run of scuttle- butt about a combined exercise with thc British Far Eastern Fleet. For once thc hot dope pcddlcrs had it straight and before long thc ship received a dis- patch confirming it. The operation began with the sortie of Seventh Fleet units from Suhic Bay early one morning which was followed shortly thereafter by a visit from the bird men of Clark Air Force Base. For several days our task group steamed out at Condition III to make contact with the British task group. On the third day patrol aircraft from the Boxer spotted the other force and strikes were launched for the attack while we awaited the British thrust which followed shortly. This accomplished and declared a draw by the respective commanders the ships joined up into one large task force. For the first day or two of this all hands lined the rails to get a look at the HLimey ships, noting the differences in construction and size, and, of course, pausing for a moment or two with curious eye on HMS MAINE, the hospital ship. Both sides were on their guard because of the dif- ferences in operating procedure which existed be- tween the two fleets. However, before long a mutual respect for the ship-handling abilities of the other was gained and everyone relaxed. That is, as much The Scots' dancing rated 4.0. The Allies get together at Subic RADM Andrewesv RIN., Called on VADM Be'-key: Sleek British destroyer performed well. at rxght, RADM Boone, ComCarDiv FIVE. A X fff,,V,f,f,

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A Marine quartet at church services. W hile in Suhie over the weekencl a Shiple party was helrl on Granrle Island. at the en- tranee of the Bay. At lilmerty call the crew pilerl into the ship! hoats. a couple of hor- rowetl Nil , ansl eraflling the eases of heer, headefl out. Un arrival the potential swim- mers were somewhat rliseouragecl hy the presence of a sea of jellyfish until someone checked anrl fnunrl that they weren't the stinging kinfl. Un the improvisefl Softhall rliamonfl a game was playefl hetween the 'Fatmenn anrl the ShritnpQ. ln this the little people trouneerl the heel trust haml- ily. X game of mlleyliall flovelopf-fl. foot- lialla were tnseerl aruunrl anrl the elinlc nl horeeihoei r-oulfl he hearrl. All in all it was a RUCFTPSH. hut thi: was unrlouhterlly hecause to lie -ale almut lwirrf: as murrh ilieeer was brought a- anyone thought woulfl ltr: ljifffl-Af--Vt'f' rlifln'1 liring any liaek. llagna Point. -rfveral miles from the hase hy either lmat or liu-. wa- a line place for Swimming anal -mall lwaf-h partie- whivh Home of the flix lhiflfli hr-lil. Not liar from the gate wa- Ihr: eity nl' lllfrll- gapn. that ia. il' any nm- f-uulrl :fall it a eily. lt fi0flilSlf'fl nl' the u-ual liar- anfl flanee hallh. hut on a mu'-lr -mallf-r Sfillf' lhflll Cavite. Hollywood invades Subic with Michelline Prelle and Tyrone Power. The yeomen relax at Magna Point. Good music was heard nightly at the E. M. Club, Sublc Y 5 i:2ixYb 222 5 X 1 'Mia TQEWAS